Sir Mick Jagger has spoken publicly for the first time about his "very hard year" following the death of his long-time girlfriend L'Wren Scott.

The Rolling Stones frontman said he had "a lot of support" from his family and friends in the wake of L'Wren's suicide.

And Sir Mick, 70, revealed that it was working with his bandmates that helped him come to terms with the fashion designer's tragic death.

In an interview with NBC's Today show about the new James Brown biopic Get On Up, which he co-produced, he said: "I'm doing OK. It's difficult, you know, a very hard year.

"But I got back into it by working and touring with the Stones around Europe and doing other things, including doing this great movie."

The legendary rocker said he had received "a lot of support" from friends and family in the wake of the tragedy, adding: " I appreciate that."

The interview, aired in the United States, comes four months after L'Wren, 49, was found dead in her New York apartment.

The fashion designer, who had been in a relationship with Sir Mick for 13 years, was a red carpet favourite and her dresses were worn by Hollywood stars including Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.

But she reportedly owed nearly £4.6 million to creditors at the time of her death.

Sir Mick released a statement on Facebook shortly after her death on March 17 in which he said: " I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.

"We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves.

"She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.

"I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received.